SLED Will Close Investigation into Saluda Mayor After Suicide

Saluda, SC (WLTX) - A SLED spokesman says the agency will close its investigation into former Saluda Mayor Frank Addy after he committed suicide Easter Sunday.

"It was just a shock," said Ralph Shealy, publisher of the Saluda Standard-Sentinel. "In this little small community it spread immediately. In the church service, we knew about it on Sunday morning. It's a very sad situation."

Shealy has owned the local paper since 1994 and says the story that his friend, former Saluda Mayor Frank Addy, committed suicide was shocking.

"I've known him a long time," said Shealy. "He was a good student, a good Gamecock fan. When he was at Carolina, he was the manager of the football team, so he did a lot of things."

In early February though, Greenwood, SC paper 'The Greenwood Index Journal' printed a story shedding light on some of Addy's actions while in office.

The story reports the former mayor claimed he drove more than 48,000 miles in 2012 to develop the town's economy. For the miles, The Index Journal reports Addy was reimbursed more than $26,000.

SLED initiated a preliminary investigation into Addy but originally would not connect the investigation to the reimbursement funds. Now, the agency says it will close it's investigation and make the case file a public record.

"Everyone around the community knows each other so it's very sad," said Shealy. "It's tough. It's really hit this community hard."